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Time.com

By Michael Grunwald
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008

This may sound too good to be true, but the U.S. has a renewable-energy resource that is perfectly clean, remarkably cheap, surprisingly abundant and immediately available. It has astounding potential to reduce the carbon emissions that threaten our planet, the dependence on foreign oil that threatens our security and the energy costs that threaten our wallets. Unlike coal and petroleum, it doesn’t pollute; unlike solar and wind, it doesn’t depend on the weather; unlike ethanol, it doesn’t accelerate deforestation or inflate food prices; unlike nuclear plants, it doesn’t raise uncomfortable questions about meltdowns or terrorist attacks or radioactive-waste storage, and it doesn’t take a decade to build. It isn’t what-if like hydrogen, clean coal and tidal power; it’s already proven to be workable, scalable and cost-effective. And we don’t need to import it.

This miracle juice goes by the distinctly boring name of energy efficiency, and it’s often ignored in the hubbub over alternative fuels, the nuclear renaissance, T. Boone Pickens and the green-tech economy. Clearly, it needs an agent. But it’s a simple concept: wasting less energy. Or more precisely, consuming less energy to get the same amount of heat for your shower, light for your office and power for your factory. It turns out to be much less expensive, destructive and time-intensive to reduce demand through efficiency than to increase supply through new drilling or new power plants. A nationwide push to save “negawatts” instead of building more megawatts could help reverse our unsustainable increases in energy-hogging and carbon-spewing while creating a slew of jobs and saving a load of cash.

Now this may sound like Jimmy Carter’s 30-year-old plea for us to turn down the heat and put on sweaters or like an eco-lecture nagging us to turn off lights, drive less and otherwise change our behavior to save energy. It would be nice if we did, but that’s conservation, not efficiency. We don’t have to sacrifice comfort or change routines to get efficient. Doing less with less may be admirable, but efficiency is about doing the same or more with less. And studies by groups as diverse as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and even the National Petroleum Council have identified efficiency as the way to start addressing our energy and climate crises. In fact, we’ve already started; the Alliance to Save Energy calculates that without the efficiency gains we’ve made since the last energy crisis, in 1973, our economy would use nearly 50% more energy today. That’s more than we get from oil, twice what we get from coal or natural gas and six times what we get from nuclear plants.

But we could save much more. A McKinsey study found that a global effort to boost efficiency with existing technologies could have “spectacular results,” eliminating more than 20% of world energy demand by 2020. Efficiency guru Amory Lovins argues that today’s best techniques could save the U.S. half our oil and gas and three-fourths of our electricity. That would mean no more imports from the Middle East, lower utility bills for everyone and a big step off our path toward a hotter planet. Honeywell CEO Dave Cote brags that widespread adoption of just his own company’s efficiency products could slash U.S. energy use 20%. “There’s a huge amount of low-hanging fruit,” he says.

There are two basic ways to save energy without deprivation or daily effort. We can use more efficient machinery, like fuel-efficient cars that guzzle less gas, or those pigtailed compact fluorescent lightbulbs that use 75% less power than traditional bulbs, or state-of-the-art refrigerators that are three times as efficient as 1973 models. We can also use machinery more productively. That can be as simple as insulating pipes and ducts, caulking doors and windows and otherwise weatherizing our homes to avoid heating our attics and the outdoors. Or installing motion sensors and programmable thermostats that turn out lights and air conditioners when no one’s in the room. President-elect Barack Obama noted on the campaign trail that if we all just properly inflated our tires and maintained our engines, we could save as much oil now as new offshore drilling would produce by 2030. And since buildings devour two-thirds of our power, commercial and industrial operations can weed out even more waste through green construction and automated systems that practically import power as needed. “We’ve hit rock bottom in our addiction to fossil fuels,” says Ian Bowles, Massachusetts energy and environmental affairs secretary. “We need an intervention, and energy efficiency is it.”

Originally posted 2009-05-02 13:50:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Author: Noel Almirante

Interior lighting design for industries are very important to consider. Factories, warehouses and offices need interior industrial lighting for convenience and efficiency. All these three environments require systems to be planned through architectural and electrical designing prior to the purchase of equipment. Sometimes this is for energy savings only, but on some point, interior lighting design is a key component to workers productivity and essential in maintaining a safety working environment.

Office lighting is important in the industrial marketplace. Employees need comfortable task lamps such as RLM lighting devices, indoor gooseneck lights and other office lights to ensure efficiency and maintain a safe work environment. All areas should be lit that needs a certain amount of ambient lighting to look professional to visitors and customers. Without adequate RLM lighting, people working in the assembly line cannot see and thus work at a relatively slower pace. This will affect the worker’s productivity because of long hours spent to do a certain task.

Safety is another critical component to a successful factory operations. One major accident involving workers in the premises can cause a factory to shut down for days or even weeks and can bring a big loss on profitability. Many times, accidents happen around the production area. This could have been avoided if lighting had been given much more attention in the factory. However, too much light can also cause accident due to reflective glare that could blind a worker’s eye. RLM lighting is one of the best lighting devices that we can use inside the production area to avoid this issue.

Warehouses also consider the same process flow and safety considerations that factories have to consider. Packaging areas should not be dark because inventory loss is likely to occur in darker areas. If you think this would sound so costly, please bear in mind that only production areas need special interior design in order to provide special functions and safeguard human life. Many storage areas and hallways that need cheaper fixture and far less electricity without jeopardizing health and corporate revenues.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/presentation-articles/indoor-commercial-lighting-boosts-revenue-and-safety-3483059.html

About the Author

Jose Emmanuel Almirante is an author for Sign Bracket Store. He gives tips and information on unique signage ideas for your store or business with an emphasis on lighting products such as, Gooseneck lighting, Gooseneck lights, Gooseneck Outdoor lighting and sign blanks.

Originally posted 2011-06-27 01:09:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Author: Kathryn Dawson

Looking for lighting for your business premises? Whether you are fitting out a few small offices or a large warehouse just take a look online at the broad range of products available and you’ll soon be inspired. Deciding upon the types of lights you need isn’t the only important aspect of lighting your property, you also have to think about their placement and how you can achieve the most effective practical and visual effects.

Securing your business premises is important and you need to work out how much light is required for each area and the most effective type of lighting. Consider what the area is to be used for and if there is already any natural light. If you need to light up a parking area or other location that will be facilitated at night then you should be looking at much brighter lights than if it is an area that will be closed during the evenings but still needs some lighting for security purposes.

There are various factors that are essential to the success of an outdoor lighting job, amongst them proper fixture selection, fixture positioning, and light distribution patterns. Most outdoor lights incorporate motion detection and come on automatically when someone enters the area outside your business. They are affordable and an effective way to prevent crime, any intruders trying to get near the premises will find themselves bathed in a bright light and be scared away. Carefully placed outdoor flood lights can generate a remarkable lighting effect that will make people notice the premises and your business; the options available include security floodlights, garden floodlights and general exterior flood lights.

Colour is another factor to consider, if the lighting is for a purely practical use then white is fine, however if you want to light up an outside garden area or walkway then think about using coloured bulbs to make an impression and create an attractive feature.

Having a selection of visually attractive lighting products alongside practical ones will mean you can secure your property and get it noticed. Effective lighting can light your property up on the outside highlighting any architectural features or enabling people to stop and browse window displays even when the shop is closed at night, or attract passersby to admire the gardens, ensure your business name and logo is in full view and you get free advertising too.

Indoors, the right lighting can provide a warm welcome to customers, highlight certain aspects or products and also help to make the premises a comfortable and pleasant space for staff to work in. Dull, poor lighting isn’t going to encourage customers to stay around for long or promote motivated staff. Attractive surroundings that are well lit can do wonders for staff morale, and we all know that happy staff equals better working attitudes which can lead to higher sales.

Recessed downlights can be purchased in low voltage and mains voltage models, and the range of colours, styles and finishes means you are guaranteed to find a solution to fit your needs. They can offer simple understated lighting to create the required ambience for any application or environment, whether residential or commercial.

Take time to consider your lighting needs as some products are much more energy efficient than others and electric bills can be expensive. Ensure you plan very carefully before going ahead with a project. You will need to employ the services of a qualified electrician to install them and they should offer you skilled advice, or if you are having the premises built then seek the expert advice of the architect.

Prices are often much lower when you shop online as there are fewer overheads than high street stores. They generally deliver the next day and some even deliver free if you spend over a certain amount. If you are looking for emergency lighting, fire rated lights, outdoor security lights or ceiling lights for domestic, trade or commercial purposes then you can find excellent value for money from online traders in lighting products. If you order in bulk then prices are even lower and you can expect a professional and efficient service from established online companies that deal in commercial lights.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/shopping-articles/commercial-lights-for-your-business-needs-2419101.html

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson writes articles for Litecraft Commercial, a leading retailer of commercial lights in the UK. There are recessed lighting available in low voltage and mains voltage model; with an assortment of colours, finishes and styles suitable for both domestic and commercial applications. Their flood lighting not only make for good security light at night, they can also provide a dramatic lighting effect that highlights a building as well as gardens.

Originally posted 2011-05-05 01:00:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Author: Camille Howe

Now is the time to invest in commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures and retire that outdated, and soon to be illegal, incandescent technology.

It serves none of us to continue using incandescent lights in commercial warehouses with a ban on incandescent lighting of all varieties coming soon. Now is the time to invest in commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures and retire that outdated, and soon to be illegal, incandescent technology. Commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures come in every shape and size and provide the ideal replacement for incandescent lights. This includes ceiling mount lights, hanging fluorescent strips, fluorescent wall packs, floodlights, loading dock lighting and even fluorescent, commercial high bay lighting fixtures.

What is the main advantage of commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures?

By far the longevity of the fluorescent lamp is the greatest benefit to industrial clients looking to make the most of their procurement dollars and reduce overhead for a power-saving return on investment. The terms of average lamp life and lumen output per watt makes any commercial fluorescent light fixture a highly efficient source of illumination. Fluorescent lamps generate very little heat and will maintain cooler temperatures in workshops, warehouses, and other areas where minimizing radiant heat creates a safe and optimal work environment for workers. Reduced maintenance costs and reduced energy consumption add up over time to savings that exceed the cost of initial purchase.

Do you know how a fluorescent lamp works anyway?

Fluorescent lamps create light by passing an electric arc between tungsten cathodes in a tube filled with a low-pressure mercury vapor mixed with other luminous gases. The arc excites the mercury vapor, which in turn generates radiant energy- primarily in the ultraviolet range. This energy causes the phosphor coating on the inside of the tube to fluoresce, converting the ultraviolet into visible light.

What are the electrical requirements for fluorescent lamps?

To start the fluorescent lamp, a high voltage surge must establish an arc in the mercury vapor. Once the lamp is started, the gas offers a decreasing amount of resistance. This means that current must be regulated to match this drop. Otherwise, the lamp will draw more and more power and rapidly burn itself out. This is why magnetic or electronic ballasts that provide the required starting voltage and control the subsequent flow of current to the lamp must operate fluorescent lights.

Most companies carry many varieties of commercial warehouse fluorescent lighting fixtures regardless of where lighting is needed in the facility. Some of the more popular types follow:

Wall Pack Lights

Fluorescent wall pack lighting fixtures are used to beef up security at entrance doorways, corridors, service areas, loading docks, and other venues that require a utility light source. Wall pack fixtures typically have vandal proof lenses and are difficult for intruders to dismantle.

Outdoor Floodlights

Fluorescent outdoor floodlights are used to illuminate outdoor signs, building facades, courtyards and smoking areas. They care suited for installation at grade level on junction boxes as well as on building pointed in a downward position.

Loading Dock Lights

Commercial fluorescent lights help loading docks maintain clear visibility for 18-wheelers and delivery trucks. Mounted on telescoping or swing arms, fluorescent dock lights are very durable, start instantaneously, and do not require a start up period. They prove their usefulness every time the power is accidentally unplugged or when the electricity goes off momentarily.

Vandal proof Canopy Lights

Fluorescent vandal proof lights help property managers protect their investment. These commercial fluorescent lights keep parking garages, car washes, storage facilities, warehouses with low ceilings, and other properties clearly visible with a dependable commercial lighting source. Fluorescent canopy lights fixtures are rock solid and have vandal proof lenses that are difficult for intruders, customers, or employees to disable. Models are available in both square and rectangular formats.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/fluorescent-light-fixture-320688.html

About the Author
Easyrack.org for more information on commercial lighting or fluorecent light fixtures please visit us.

Originally posted 2011-07-21 07:15:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Author: Kimberly Quang

The quality of the commercial lighting products that you sell your clients matters now more than it ever has. Because we have entered a period of recession, companies that spend money on replacements or upgrades intend to stretch their investment as far as it can possibly go. Sometimes your clients may have already done a bit of homework themselves on the type of commercial lighting products they need, and may offer to purchase the equipment and pay you for the labor to install them. This is all well and good if they have sourced their products well, perhaps through our channel or one of our affiliate manufacturing distributors. However, if they are planning on buying imported commercial lighting products, or going down to the hardware store to obtain retail grade materials at a lower cost, it would serve their long term interests if you advised them against such a course of action.

There are problems associated with both foreign-manufactured commercial lighting products and with retail commercial lighting products. Foreign-made products may claim to be commercial grade in quality, but you have no way of determining if this is really the case. Foreign governments have different technical and quality assurance standards than our own, and even if the fixture is compatible with US-made technology, you have no guarantee of quality assurance. When the product fails, there is no way to enforce the warranty on what you have worked so hard to install-if there is a warranty on the product at all. This will further stagnate your client’s revenue stream with replacement costs and additional labor. This is not the way to recession proof your client’s business.

It is far better to invest up front in commercial lighting products that will do what the manufacturer promises they will do. This level of performance and guarantee is best obtained through products made in the U.S.A by reputable American manufacturers who even now are working to improve existing light fixture technology for greater ergonomics, energy savings, safety, and aesthetics. This is why Residential Landscape Lighting and Design represents only those manufactures who headquarter in the United States AND manufacture their products here in the United States.

When you can offer your clients the best products in the world of commercial lighting backed up by warranties in writing, you can also promise them a number of tangible financial returns on their investment through the proper installation and use of these products.

Improved Safety Results from U.S.-manufactured outdoor lighting fixtures.

Parking lots and parking garages are two places where people leaving work after dark are often attacked. They are also places where vandalism and vehicle burglaries frequently occur. Upgrading the lighting system in both of these locations with commercial lighting products that feature the latest in glare shielding, optical performance, and light directional control increases foot candle levels in these areas and simultaneously reduces light pollution into surrounding neighborhoods and streets.

Ergonomics

Better interior lighting improves ergonomics and often creates a more positive morale and motivated sense of production among the staff. Many factories are now using fluorescent lights with electronic ballasts that produce a high level of light and superior color rendering at 40% less. Fluorescent low bays are a favorite commercial lighting product for assembly line work because of the high CRI they offer. Larger facilities that need high bay lights can also benefit from HID fixtures with pulse start technology. Interior office lights and ceiling lights can also now be done with low voltage halogen, LED, and fluorescent fixtures that replace incandescent with more comfortable and controllable levels of light and more precise lighting effects.

ROI through Power Conservation

This last point brings us to our next: ROI through power conservation. The more efficient the commercial lighting products are, the faster they pay for themselves by saving on the electric bill month after month. An added bonus to this is that most energy efficient fixtures enjoy a very long lamp life, so they will certainly be around when the cost of purchasing them has been offset by subsequent savings. American made commercial lighting products are intended to put money back into your client’s pockets in this fashion and to contribute to nationwide efforts to develop more environmentally technology pursuant to reversing global climate change.

· LED Commercial Lights
· Metal Halide Fixtures
· High Pressure Sodium Fixtures
· Floodlight for Security and Landscape Lighting
· Wall Packs
· LED Office Lights
· LED Outdoor Lighting Fixtures
· Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures
· Parking Lot Lights and Lighting Poles
· Solar Powered Street Lights
· Security Lights and Motion Detectors
· Architectural Building Lights
· Sign Lights
· Commercial Low Bay Lights
· Light Control Systems
· Outdoor Accent Lighting
· Landscape Lights
· Sports Lighting
· Baseball Lights
· Soccer Lights
· Football Lights
· Volleyball Lights and Lighting Kits
· Tennis Court Lights and Lighting Kits
· Commercial Parking Garage Lights
· Warehouse High Bays
· Roadway and Highway Lights

Keep in mind too that we have a staff of trained experts who will answer any questions you have about commercial lighting products or help you find specific types of commercial lighting products from any number of manufacturing sources. We drop ship directly to your client’s location straight from the factory, and we offer turnkey installation services on selective items. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/american-made-commercial-lighting-products-517785.html

About the Author
residential-landscape-design.com. Visit us online to learn more about Commercial Lighting Products and Commercial Lighting.

Originally posted 2011-04-07 06:54:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Author: R. Neal

Because of the growing number of private volleyball courts and recreational volleyball courts in residential areas and neighborhood outdoor recreation areas, the floodlights of yesteryear are rapidly being replaced by sharp cutoff volleyball court lighting fixtures and metal halide or high pressure sodium lamps. Cut-off style fixtures offer greater control of volleyball lighting and minimize light spillage, making them ideal for schools, churches, YMCA’s, and even personal backyards in cities with very strict dark sky compliance laws. Cut-off style volleyball court lights also look more sheik and attractive than traditional shoebox lighting designs and serve to better compliment adjacent building architecture and surrounding indigenous vegetation.

RLLD Commercial Lighting provides a wide range of fixture types and lamp wattage strengths for recreational and professional volleyball court lighting. For private courts, we recommend that you consult with an electrician who can install this equipment, as a number of calculations have to be factored into the equation when choosing and installing lights for a volleyball court. Standard court size is normally 60′ by 30′, although these dimensions can vary in a variety of private settings and special recreational facilities. Working with a trained expert in RLLD Commercial Lighting can also save a contractor a great deal of time in doing all the math necessary to make all the necessary adjustments needed to light a volleyball court that varies in any way from standard measurements. It is also necessary to take a number of additional factors into account as follows.

1. Pole and Fixture Placement

In most volleyball court lighting designs, it is generally a good idea to use one double lighting kit on each side of the court. We have a number of wooden and steel poles in standard and decorative designs to offer a complimentary touch to the sidelines, and we have mounting brackets that can be used to mount one or more fixtures to trees growing near the court.

As a rule of thumb, add approximately 20′ to the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the court in order to light both the court and sideline areas.

2. Fixture Attributes

The sheik cutoff design featured by RLLD Commercial Lighting Fixtures for Volleyball Courts gives them a strong competitive advantage when it comes to both aesthetics and performance. They present a much less obtrusive, almost low-profile appearance in comparison to the more bulky shoebox lights that are often used for tennis court lighting. The cutoff design offers a qualitative advantage over floodlights because it lights only the volleyball court and sideline areas with minimal light spillage beyond the desired boundaries.

Lamps can be obtained from RLLD Commercial Lighting either in high pressure sodium (good for repelling insects) or metal halide choices (ideal for white light that nears natural light in quality). Consult with one of our specialists about wattages and ballast options that best suit your particular facility.

3. Fixture Mounting Height

The diversity of poles and mounts we inventory for volleyball court lighting makes it simple and quick for contractors to find exactly what they need to elevate fixtures to the precise height necessary to avoid blinding the eyes of players and sending light pollution into nearby stores and houses. RLLD Commercial Lighting experts can also help contractors and design professionals determine exactly which poles and mounts will best withstand any high winds in a given part of the country with charts and up-to-date information on EPA codes and requirements.

4. Quantity and Quality of Light

Working with a distributor like RLLD Commercial lighting gives the freelance electrical contractor access to top commercial grade lamps and fixtures to ensure that glare and light pollution are eliminated for the greater comfort, safety, and enjoyment of the game. RLLD Commercial Lighting specialists will provide complimentary phone-based consulting services to clients and advisory services for a small fee to the casual inquirer. Call us now to find both special volleyball lighting equipment and custom volleyball lighting packages made for end-users needs first in mind.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/volleyball-court-lighting-fixtures-691452.html

About the Author
rlldesign.com. For more information on Volleyball Court Lighting, Sports Field Lighting, and Commercial Lighting visit us online today.

Originally posted 2011-08-07 13:18:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

by: www.indobase.com

Many of like to settle down comfortably in some favorite corner of the house and spend some time reading books or magazines we love. All of us have some reading and writing to do at some point of time. These two activities put a strain on our eyes and thus what is needed is proper lighting to reduce the strain. Adequate desk lighting is a must for students for long hours of night study. Here are a few tips on how the lighting should be while studying, writing or working on a computer:

• Lighting should be bright and must be focused on to the area where you are working.
• Use task lighting as it is focused and does not create any shadows. This lighting illuminates only the work surface like the study table.
• Use halogen bulbs as experts consider them the best to illuminate reading material.
• Using fluorescent bulbs is better than using incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs last longer, save electricity and are now available in a variety of colors.
• Right-handed individuals should place the light on their left hand side and vice versa. This is to ensure that the shadow of the hand does not fall the pages.
• You should sit upright and read with the material at a distance of about 14 to 18 inches away from the eyes.
• For long night study one should choose glare-free task lighting.
• As an individual grows older his eyes become weaker. Thus older people need more light for reading and writing.

Originally posted 2009-04-18 17:51:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

March 7, 2011

Gregory Karp From Chicagotribune.com

How many tips does it take to change a light bulb?

A few more, apparently.

Despite avid media coverage and education campaigns by the government and environmental groups, consumers still aren’t flocking to newer, energy-efficient light bulbs.

Even in states with long-running and well-funded programs to promote compact fluorescent lamps, only 1 in 5 household sockets contain those bulbs, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy. Sales of CFLs peaked in 2007 and have declined since, the report says.

But a switch could be good for your wallet. And besides, you won’t have much choice soon.

A federal law passed in 2007 requires manufacturers to make light bulbs that emit the same brightness using less energy. Traditional incandescent bulbs can’t do that, so they’ll effectively be dropped from production over the next few years. As a consumer, you can continue using incandescents, but eventually you won’t be able to buy any more unless it’s a specialty bulb.

A phase-in of the new rules starts next January with 100-watt bulbs. That’s news to a lot of people. Just two in 10 people know about the 100-watt bulb’s impending extinction, according to a recent survey by lighting manufacturer Osram Sylvania.

Some consumers aware of the coming change — 13 percent — plan to stock up on incandescent 100-watt bulbs while they can get them, the survey found. A Consumer Reports blog referred to them as “Lightbulb Luddites.”

That’s probably because consumers have a better alternative to hoarding inefficient 100-watters. That is, switching to new energy-efficient bulbs, probably CFLs and perhaps halogen incandescents or light emitting diodes (LEDs), experts say.

“People don’t like change, even when it’s good for you,” said Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy. “This is a change that can do good for your pocketbook and not do harm to quality of your life or the quality of your light.”

Here are questions and answers about energy-efficient lighting.

What’s changing? The demise of traditional 100-watt incandescent bulbs will be followed by 75-watt bulbs in 2013 and 60- and 40-watt bulbs in 2014. The new regulations actually don’t ban or promote any particular lighting technology. They require bulbs to be about 25 percent more efficient. Traditional incandescent bulbs can’t meet the new standard.

What about specialty fixtures? You’ll still be able to buy the same incandescent versions of decorative, appliance and other specialty bulbs.

What should I buy instead? The most popular and affordable replacement is the CFL, many of which have a swirl design.

“CFLs are a pretty good technology, and they’re getting better,” said Maria Vargas, spokeswoman with the federal Energy Star program. “But it’s not an exact replacement for incandescents, because it is a different technology.”

Today’s versions are far superior and come in sizes that fit most standard light fixtures.

“CFL manufacturers have responded favorably to all the historical consumer complaints,” said Terry Drew, director of energy efficiency and sustainability for CSA International, which tests and certifies light bulbs. More than 85 percent of consumers report they are satisfied with the performance of CFLs, according to the report by the Energy Department.

But halogen and LED lights are available, too, and have advantages. For example, LEDs and halogen bulbs are fully dimmable, come to full brightness instantly and contain no mercury. But they cost more.

How much money can I save? Anything that uses energy has two costs: the initial cost and the energy cost over its lifetime. CFLs win on both counts. The initial-cost advantage might not be obvious because a CFL bulb will cost more than an incandescent, maybe $1.50 per bulb compared with 50 cents. But the CFL will last up to 10 times longer, making it far cheaper over the long run on initial price alone.

“In the time you would replace one CFL, you’d have 10 spent incandescents sitting in your trash can,” said Chad Bulman, program manager for the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.

Then you have the energy savings. A CFL uses 75 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb. Each CFL can save you about $40 over its lifetime, according to Energy Star. Those living in regions with high electricity costs save more. The range is $30 to $60 in savings per bulb. More broadly, the new standards will save an American family of four an average of about $200 per year, estimates the Alliance to Save Energy.

A minor benefit to CFLs are they don’t burn hot. So, in the summer, you will potentially use a little less air conditioning.

What about the quality of CFLs? CFLs have gone through growing pains. They once were pretty lousy: expensive and with poor-quality light. But today they are cheaper and are more similar to regular light bulbs. Those who were disappointed by CFLs in the past might give them another try.

Are there drawbacks? CFLs still don’t work well in most dimmable switches. And while you’ll get most of the light right away, it might take a minute or so to achieve full brightness. They also have mixed effectiveness in outdoor fixtures, especially in cold weather.

Consumers have complained about brightness of CFLs. But that might be due to the bad advice of buying a CFL equal to one-quarter the wattage of an incandescent.

“I think that’s a mistake; it’s more like one-third,” Vargas said.

CFLs also have trace amounts of mercury, which is a potential health problem only if the bulb breaks, and you’d have to break several CFLs in a confined space to be in significant danger.

“The threat of CFL mercury is a bit overblown,” Bulman said. And environmentalists prefer you recycle burned-out CFLs, rather than throwing them in the trash. You can drop off spent, unbroken bulbs at any Home Depot. You can also visit lamprecycle.org.

How about other technologies? LED is the other major type of energy-efficient lighting. LED bulbs don’t suffer from many of the drawbacks of CFLs. They are fully dimmable and great for using outdoors. They are more energy efficient than CFLs and can last 25 years. But they are very expensive. An LED bulb might cost $40.

Another alternative is a halogen bulb. They are not that energy efficient, comparatively. So, they will save more money than traditional incandescents but less than CFLs. But they don’t suffer some of the CFL shortcomings. They, too, are fully dimmable and give good light. They might cost $4 to $5 a bulb.

Neither LEDs nor halogens contain mercury.

Bottom line. If you want to start easing your way into energy-efficient bulbs, replace your five most-used, nondimmable lights with Energy Star-certified CFLs. For best prices and variety, buy multipacks at big-box stores, such as home centers, mass discounters and warehouse clubs.

Originally posted 2011-03-12 09:48:47. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

by Craig DiLouie

The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005 created the Commercial Buildings Deduction (CBD), which established an accelerated tax deduction rewarding investment in energy-efficient interior lighting, HVAC/hot water systems and building envelope.Initially set to expire December 31, 2007 and then December 31, 2008, the CBD was recently extended by Congress to expire in five years: December 31, 2013.

The Deduction
A tax deduction is a cost subtracted from adjusted gross income when calculating taxable income; tax liability is not reduced dollar for dollar, as is the case with a tax credit, but instead in proportion to the taxpayer’s tax bracket.

Deducting the cost of a capital investment such as new lighting is not special. What is special about the CBD is the owner can potentially write off the entire cost of the new lighting in the tax year in which it is placed in service, instead of capitalized and depreciated or amortized over time. So it’s an accelerated tax deduction: If a cost item associated with installing new lighting is normally depreciated and claimed over a period of years, it can now be claimed in a single tax year.

 

Originally posted 2009-05-22 20:53:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Author: R. Neal

Interior lighting often defines the quality of a commercial environment. Office space very often depends on the quality of interior lighting to create an ergonomic and motivated workspace that will contribute to higher production and profit margins. Everything from morale to corporate culture can be affected by a change in the interior lighting. Commercial production facilities rely upon interior lighting directly for manufacturing and shipping. In their world, proper levels of glare free illumination are a must for safe and efficient process flow. Some environments, such as manufacturing and assembly, rely so heavily on commercial interior lighting that their very survival depends upon its quality.

The best way to approach commercial interior lighting design is to first get a general picture of industry standard needs in this area in order to formulate a basic plan of attack in proposing a new system.

Industrial Organizations

Most manufacturing and warehousing operations care little for aesthetics. They are far more concerned with safety and cost effective operations. Commercial interior lights in these environments play a major role in ergonomics and employee well-being. Any dark areas or large shadows in a building represent major safety concerns to quality assurance. It is your first duty as a contractor in these environments to propose commercial interior lights that will evenly light all of a facilities floor space and provide sufficient foot candles in the vertical cube to allow for material handling tools such as fork trucks to be safely driven through the facility.

It is also important to consider the impact that heat can have on a large building. If you install commercial interior lights with poor thermal management designs, HVAC costs will be higher. RLLD Commercial Lighting has a number of fluorescent, induction, and LED interior lighting fixtures specifically designed to operate at cooler temperatures. This, combined with their innate power saving designs, helps greatly reduce overhead for industrial clients and can often tip the balance in favor of your proposal.

Keep in mind that industrial facilities are the most heavily regulated of all buildings, so it is crucial that you ensure that your client will meet with all OSHA and ANSI codes. If your client is interested in obtaining LEED certification, call an RLLD Commercial interior lighting expert to find out about the latest energy efficient technology ideal for earning points toward a certificate.

Service Based Organizations

Good morale is an essential ingredient to service based office environments. Commercial interior lights here should blend the task and the decorative to produce an ergonomically sound as well as decorative quality of light. Normally, you have to create multiple layers of both direct and indirect light to achieve such an effect, and you have to use a multiplicity of fixture types, mounts, and lamps.

One great way to minimize the number of actual light fixtures for a small company with a tight budget is to install commercial interior lighting controls. Dimmers and wireless remotes can make lighting customized to personal preference while simultaneously minimizing power consumption. The right commercial lighting controls can turn one set of interior lights into many by programming multiple themes into a central controller. These themes can be activated with wall boxes, and hand-held remotes to create different moods and levels of luminosity.

Retailers

Retail clients need commercial interior lights that render color equivalent to that produced by natural daylight. The reason for this is obvious: products on shelves must look as natural and good as possible to sell. Like offices, stores require multiple layers of light. Typically, one level of light illuminates the floor space for customers and staff, and the second layer of light focuses on product merchandising.

It is paramount that you choose the right commercial interior lighting fixtures that will accomplish these tasks do this as cost effectively as possible. Retail profit margins are normally rather slim, so the more you offer trim a store’s electric, the more readily they will embrace both the technology and the design you propose.

Hospitality Clients

Hotels, country clubs, restaurants, and resorts need you to take a very customized approach to commercial interior lighting. Virtually every location contains a variety of buildings whose interior architecture varies on a per room basis. Commercial interior lights create everything from general task lighting to special decorative and associative aesthetic themes. Most hospitality clients also expect you to use lamps, fixtures, mounts and accessories that specifically compliment the decorum and brand of the establishment. Usually, the more removed from mundane reality an organization seeks to be, the more elaborate and eclectic its commercial interior lighting system will need to be.

Lighting Design Services from RLLD Commercial Lighting

Our clients are contractors, architects, and commercial lighting design firms who range from sole proprietors to national corporations. To accommodate this broad spectrum of clients, we have investing in state of the art point by point lighting design software which we will use to help you develop your client’s system at no additional charge provided you purchase your commercial interior lighting fixtures from us. Small companies can appear equal to large ones through this partnership, and large companies can save money on training and staff development by outsourcing schematic design to our experts.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/management-articles/commercial-interior-lighting-699430.html

About the Author
RLLD Commercial Lighting (rlldesign.com). For more information on Commercial Interior Lighting, Outdoor Commercial Lighting, and other forms of Commercial Lighting visit us online.

Originally posted 2011-07-02 03:11:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter